Body Condition Score of the Horse

Knowing your horse's Body Condition Score (BCS) is important. It will dictate what he is fed and how much exercise he requires to maintain the appropriate BCS. The ideal BCS is 5. Where does your horse score?

1 PoorAnimal extremely emaciated. No fatty tissue can be felt. Bone structure very noticeable. Ribs projecting prominently. Shoulder is sharp and protruding. Tailhead, point of hip and point of buttock projecting prominently.

4 Moderately ThinFaint outline of ribs with some fat filling between ribs. Negative crease along back (backbone sticks up). Neck, shoulder and withers slightly thin. Point of hip still discernable. Point of buttock rounded and not distinguishable. Tailhead slightly prominent.

6 Moderately FleshyFat beginning to be deposited. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Ribs are not visible, but can be felt with slight pressure. Slight positive crease (gutter appearance) may appear down backbone. Shoulder blends smoothly into body. Withers rounded. Fat beginning to be deposited around tailhead.

7 FleshyFat deposited along neck, withers, area behind shoulder and on either side of tailhead. Neck may begin to become cresty. Individual ribs can be felt with pressure, but noticeable filling between ribs. Fat is beginning to fill in the flank. Back has positive crease (gutter appearance).